Cheap Drum Set

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A cheap drum set is the perfect starter kit for the novice percussionist. The general costs involved are easy to compare and work into a spending plan.

A cheap drum set allows for exploration of talent without a large investment.

Starting Small Makes Sense

One word: coordination. While practice is certainly beneficial to increasing ability, playing the drums is very different than playing piano or guitar. Not everyone has a natural sense of rhythm. Even professional musicians still practice an hour or more each day when on tour, and two-to-four hours off-tour.

It's best not to invest in a fancy kit when you're not even certain you can make all four limbs operate independently, much less well enough to create a beat everyone else in the band relies on.

Finding Cheap Drum Sets

The internet makes it easier than ever to find cheap drum sets. Don’t know what parts make up a drum set? This site offers a helpful breakdown.

Practice Pad Sets

Many professionals use a kit like this to practice on while traveling, but it’s also an inexpensive starter set to see if you really have the chops. Practice pads are also purchased for a regular kit to keep the noise level to a minimum.

zZounds offers free shipping on a super-quiet set with a stand, hardware, and pads representing the tom, cymbal, snare, floor tom, and bass drum, although the bass pedal is not included. Frequent sales promote this kit at $129.95.

Active Musician lists a similar kit for $119.99, plus shipping and handling.

Three-Piece Sets

This is the standard starter kit for children. Although many older children play well on a full-sized set, a three-piece version is a cheap drum set that doesn’t look like one. Young students with aptitude will develop the fundamentals of drumming in no time on a kit like this.

Try this model from Percussion Plus, which includes a bass drum, small tom, cymbal, and snare, smaller drumsticks, and the bass drum pedal. Average retail is $119.

eBay has a wide selection of three-piece drum sets, some with a low “buy it now” price of $49.98. Don’t forget to factor in shipping, and make sure to verify the seller and the components available in the kit.

Often parents can find used drum kits at yard sales, too.

Five-Piece Drum Sets

There is a variety of five-piece cheap drum sets available for a teenager or curious adult. Don’t be swayed by higher quality cymbals, drum skins, or drumsticks – all the items that inflate your costs. A cheap drum set is usually reasonably-priced and well-manufactured. The basic components are enough to help you build skill before investing in higher-priced equipment.

The Ludwig Junior Five-Piece Drum Set is a great step up from a child’s three-piece kit. The entry price falls between $200-$250. The set includes three toms, base drum, two snares, two cymbals, bass pedal, and drum throne.

This Pulse Pro Five-Piece drum set is a great kit for the beginner or intermediate player. Average price at Musician’s Friend online is $349.99 for bass drum, three toms, one snare, three cymbals, bass pedal, and drumsticks.

Other Equipment

As you build your budget for a cheap drum set, consider these other important tools for drumming:

Drum throne, otherwise known as a stool. Proper posture is critical to health and performance, so look for an adjustable stool.
Packs of drumsticks. Drumsticks break frequently, so it’s good to have spares.
Metronome. One of the smartest drumming accessories, a metronome helps a new drummer learn different time signatures.
Earplugs or headphones. Protect your ears during frequent practice. Other members of the household might appreciate earplugs or headphones as well.

Additional Resources

Check with your local music store for guidance on drum lessons. Some choose to take lessons from a professional for weeks before purchasing a cheap drum set. However, since most lessons require follow-up practice at home, you still might need a practice pad set to use until you think a full kit is worth the investment.
Learn to Play Drums is a multimedia training system.
The book Drum Basics by Sandy Gennaro answers many questions a beginner may have.
Drums for Dummies by Jeff Strong is quick reference to playing the drums.